Ukraine Moves Toward Possible Peace Deal as Zelensky Plans US Visit

Ukraine’s national security chief has confirmed that efforts are underway to arrange a visit by President Volodymyr Zelensky to the United States “at the earliest suitable date,” as renewed diplomatic attempts aim to bring an end to the ongoing war. Rustem Umerov, head of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council, said that Ukraine and the US had reached “a common understanding on the key terms of the agreement discussed” during recent negotiations in Geneva.

While the White House has not commented on the possibility of direct talks between US President Donald Trump and President Zelensky, Umerov’s remarks signal a potential turning point in the diplomatic landscape surrounding Ukraine. At the same time, US officials have confirmed they are preparing to meet Russian representatives in Abu Dhabi, further indicating heightened international engagement in the search for peace.

Yet, even as discussions progress, intense fighting continues across the region.

Ukraine Continues to Withstand Overnight Strikes Amid Escalating Violence

Violence surged overnight as Russia and Ukraine traded heavy air attacks. In Kyiv, officials reported at least six people dead following a series of Russian strikes that ignited fires across multiple residential areas. Emergency services scrambled to rescue residents from burning high-rise buildings in both the Dniprovskyi and Pechersk districts of the capital.

Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, confirmed that a major fire broke out in a multi-storey building in Dniprovskyi, forcing an urgent evacuation. Eighteen people, including three children, were rescued as firefighters worked to contain the blaze. In another strike, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that a high-rise building in the Pechersk area sustained significant upper-floor damage but that the fire had since been extinguished.

As explosions echoed across the city, authorities urged residents to take shelter in underground bunkers and parking garages. Ukraine’s air defence units intercepted incoming missiles and drones while warning that the scale of the assault was unprecedented.

Ukraine’s Ministry of Energy confirmed the country’s energy infrastructure had faced yet another “massive, combined enemy attack,” reflecting Russia’s continued strategy of targeting critical facilities.

According to Zelensky, the overnight barrage included 22 missiles and more than 460 drones launched at Ukraine, marking one of the most intense attacks in recent weeks.

NATO also scrambled four aircraft over Romania—the third such deployment in four days—to intercept drones straying into the alliance’s airspace. Six Russian drones were detected over Moldova, underscoring the broader regional danger of escalating conflict.

Meanwhile, Russia reported its own casualties. Officials said at least three people were killed in a Ukrainian strike on the Rostov region, with two more dying in hospital. In the city of Taganrog, Mayor Svetlana Kambulova vowed that “necessary response measures” would follow.

Russian authorities also claimed to have intercepted 249 Ukrainian drones overnight, including several in the Black Sea and Kursk regions. In the Krasnodar region, Governor Veniamin Kondratyev described Ukraine’s bombardment as “one of the Kyiv regime’s most sustained and massive attacks.”

Amid the ongoing fighting, the diplomatic front has intensified. Rustem Umerov stated that Ukraine hopes to organise Zelensky’s US visit in November to “complete final steps and make a deal” with President Trump.

He added that both countries have reached “a common understanding on the core terms” of the peace plan under discussion. A US official told the BBC that Ukraine had “agreed to a peace deal,” though some “minor details” still need to be finalised. However, experts warn that the gap between what Ukraine is willing to accept and what Russia demands remains vast.

European leaders have been vocal in their concerns. An initial draft of the peace framework was criticised by Ukraine and several European states, who argued it was too favourable to Russia. Counter-proposals from the UK, France, and Germany removed any recognition of regions under Russian control, increased Ukraine’s allowable military capacity, and kept the door open for Ukraine to join NATO.

Zelensky welcomed the revised proposals, saying, “Now the list of necessary steps to end the war can become doable. Many correct elements have been incorporated into this framework.”

The Kremlin rejected the amendments as “completely unconstructive,” but the US confirmed that talks with Russian delegates in Abu Dhabi would proceed.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow had yet to receive the revised “interim” plan and insisted that any agreement must align with the “spirit and letter” of the Alaska talks held in August between Trump and Vladimir Putin.

European allies will also convene virtually for a “coalition of the willing” meeting to discuss next steps. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirmed the gathering and said he had a “good and productive” conversation with Zelensky regarding the agenda.

Source- BBC